Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Broadcast Journalism
University of Kentucky
SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MEDIA
College of Communication and Information
Job Summary
The award-winning School of Journalism and Media seeks outstanding applicants for the position of Assistant Professor in Broadcast Journalism. The successful candidate will teach courses in broadcast news reporting, and student-produced live newscast and sportscast. The faculty member will work in the new, state-of-the-art, highly energized TV studio environment by Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington.
The successful candidate must hold a master’s degree or higher in a related field, have significant professional experience in broadcast journalism, demonstrate excellence in university teaching, and exhibit strong organizational and communication skills. This position is designed as an Assistant Professor Rank, Special-Title Series, Tenure-track, 9-month assignment. Faculty in the Special-Title Series typically teach three courses per semester and are required to engage in scholarly research and/or creative activities in their area of expertise. Review of applications begins September 1, 2025. Contingent on the successful candidate’s availability, the anticipated start is January 5, 2026, otherwise the start date is August 17, 2026.
About the School
The School of Journalism and Media is recognized for its accomplishments in academic scholarship and professional areas. The School offers B.A. and B.S. degrees in two areas of study: journalism (print/multimedia, broadcast/multimedia, sports/multimedia) and media arts and studies. The School is fully ACEJMC accredited and has served as the home for the Institute for Rural Journalism since 2004. The School also participates in the graduate program of the College that includes the M.A. and Ph.D. in communication.
Students learn first-hand working at the award-winning Kentucky Kernel newspaper, KRNL Lifestyle and Fashion magazine and the Kentucky Kernel Year in Photos. Also, there are great opportunities at WRFL and WUKY, and Wildcat News, our award-winning student newscast. School alumni include Pulitzer, Emmy, Murrow, and Oscar winners and current media makers with ESPN, CBS, NBC, NPR, CNN, EA, The Washington Post, and local media outlets around the country.
About the College
The College of Communication and Information comprises two schools (School of Information Science and School of Journalism and Media), two departments (Department of Communication and Department of Integrated Strategic Communication), and interdisciplinary master’s and PhD programs. Nearly 100 full-time faculty lead 2,300 undergraduate majors and 350 graduate students while also teaching in the university’s core curriculum and serving students pursuing minors and certificates in the college. The college also houses University of Kentucky’s independent student newspaper, The Kentucky Kernel, and the championship winning Intercollegiate Debate program.
About the University
Located in the vibrant city of Lexington, the University of Kentucky is a public, land-grant institution that plays a critical leadership role in economic development and advancing human well-being. The campus is home to 35,000 students, more than 2,500 faculty members, and nearly 14,000 staff members. The university is one of just eight in the country with a major academic health center and a full spectrum of academic colleges and professional schools on one contiguous campus. As such, the University of Kentucky is an incubator for interdisciplinary research. These collaborations allow researchers to address the rapidly changing needs of a global society.
Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and includes benefits that focus on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans and much more. To learn more about these benefits, please visit:
www.uky.edu/HR/benefits.
About Lexington
Lexington is a city that truly has something for everyone. In 2024, the City of Lexington was named as one of Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 5 Best Small Cities in the U.S.” and was also ranked as a “Top 25 U.S. City with the Best Quality of Life” by Forbes, making Lexington a great place to not only live but also work and study. With a population of roughly 320,000, Lexington offers both the warmth and lower cost of living of a small city and the amenities you would enjoy in a larger city, including the arts, cultural events, and a thriving dining scene.
https://www.visitlex.com/Application materials include:
1. Letter of application (attached as Cover Letter)
2. Curriculum Vita
3. Evidence of teaching excellence (attached as Specific Request 1)
4. Contact information for three references when prompted in the application process.
*Please note that references will not be contacted without prior consent.
Application review will begin
September 1, 2025,
and continue until the position is filled.
Questions regarding the position may be directed to Search Committee Chair Dr. Carey Higgins-Dobney at
careyh@uky.edu.
